Match Recap: Sacramento Republic FC 1, Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 0

Sacramento Republic FC quickly established their domination of possession, which would persist for most of the match. Trevin Caesar and Wilson Kneeshaw linked up in the 6th minute with Caesar setting up Kneeshaw for a shot in the box. Kneeshaw’s one timed shot went a just wide of the near post and out play. Agustin Cazarez had a shot sail just high of the crossbar in the 17th minute after good build up play gave him the opportunity.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 had their chances in the first half to claim an early lead, but they could not find the finishing touch. Thomas Sanner missed a golden opportunity to go ahead in the 23rd minute when he could not put his header on target inside the six-yard box. WFC2 had another solid chance to grab the first goal of the match in the 34th minute. Elliott Hord’s clearing header did not get out of the box and found the feet of Marco Bustos. The midfielder navigated his way through three Republic FC defenders before trying to get a shot on goal. Bustos lost his balance and went to ground in hopes of a foul being called, but none would come, leaving the match scoreless going into the half.

Sammy Ochoa had his best chance on goal in the 57th minute. Tyler Blackwood was able to take his defender on and beat him to the touchline. Blackwood then slid the ball into the box where Ochoa was charging. Ochoa slid to tap the ball into the net but it got caught in his feet as he ended up in the goal and Vancouver cleared it out of harm’s way.

Chris Christian nearly put Republic FC ahead in the 66th minute with his powerful header off a perfect free kick from Jeremy Hall. Christian got airborne in the box and snapped his header towards the far post but Vancouver keeper Spencer Richey made the save of the night, diving to his right to block Christian’s header off the line.

Republic finally found the goal in the 82nd minute thanks to Blackwood and Hall. Blackwood was able to earn a penalty kick after being clipped by a defender just inside the box. Hall stepped up and put his penalty kick top shelf as he blasted it past Richey and into the back of the net. Hall’s goal would prove to be the decisive goal as Sacramento Republic FC earned the three points with a 1-0 victory over Vancouver.

“We deserved it in the end,” said Republic FC Head Coach and Technical Director Paul Buckle. “We got it right. We really did control the second half. I am very proud of the win and the run we are on.”